Audubon Zoo

I rode the storm out at my dad’s condo by Audubon Zoo and, while it was scary to hear the howling winds, we made out okay. One thing that worried my friend Becky and me was the fate of the animals at the zoo. After Katrina blew through we walked around and ran into someone who worked at the zoo. We asked him about the animals and he said that they were all safe, except for two sea otters. I hope that somehow in the midst of all the other things that have to be taken care of in the city that someone finds a way to take care of the animals at Audubon Zoo.

I came here looking for zoo info, but noticed the name Harry Connick in the blog. Is he truly helping there? (I assume we’re talking about the singer.) There was a picture of him in the paper up here (Seattle) praying over some bodies, and it was definitely the strangest ‘celebrity news’ item I ever saw. I thought it was awful, but if he’s actually helping out, I can accept it.

A view from abroad.
I live in Glasgow in Scotland, and what we cannot believe in this country is how incredibly inept the USA has been at helping its own citizens. You are the most powerful nation on earth, but cannot mobilise the necessary resources to help your own people FOR FIVE DAYS!!!???
To be honest, this is not surprising. Ineptitude seems to be an American speciality. In both wars with Iraq, our British forces have fought alongside US forces. Yet in both wars, US forces have managed to kill more British troops than the Iraqis did, through “mistakes” by US forces.
The Katrina situation would never happen in Europe, where we are far better at social planning and management, and where government authorities are used to marshalling resources.
Maybe the US isnt quite the great superpower it likes to think it is.
All we can say here is that you guys elected Bush, so you have to live with him. We are so glad it aint us.

To Sharon, Rando and John,
I guess you would rather have a President like Clinton back in office. He never really did much except sit at his desk and enjoy Monica L. now did he. So I am guessing you all like those that are lazy and unmotivated and have no concern for there people. Seems to me at least Bush is trying. What do you really think Someone like Clinton would have done? Asked for the closest dry cleaners for Monica? Why don’t you put the blame where it really should be on the Governor and the Mayor. Where were they? better yet where are they now?

Cajun Cindi; Please say it ain’t so about the animals in the Zoo and the aqurium…. Why did they not just turn them lose??? GOD, This is awful!! I HOPE everyone who voted for the DUHHHHH W BUSH person are soooooo happy!! and may they ALL– each and every one ROAST!! Cajun jo

Why rebuild New Orleans? Why would anybody in their right mind keep building homes and businesses and stores in a city that is soooo far below sea level. How many miles of swamp land has Louisianna lost to erosion. Move these people to different states and secure them homes and jobs there. Leave LA to what it is supposed to be natural, wildlife and swampland that leads out into the Gulf. Build elsewhere …. above sea level. Same some of our tax dollars for a change and spend it on something intelligent….

According to the news, the area hit by Katrina is about the size of the whole of Britain. Are you saying your planning is so superior over there that you could handle a massive weather crisis that wipes out the entire British Isles without any disconnect between the three countries, all the cities, etc? -Give me a break.

When you have a disaster this widespread that affects a couple million people, three states (actually four, if you count Florida), and about a bazillion federal, state and local agencies, THEN you can weigh in.

Yeah, we’ve got major issues here, and we need to get the heck out of some of these other countries we’re in and focus on our own country. But all we need right now is some know-it-all who doesn’t have a clue as to the size of the disaster saying their country could handle it better. -PUH-LEAZE!

To Rando:
I have never read anything as twisted as your post. Do you really believe all that crap? If you do, you seriously need to get mental help.

If you must blame someone, the governor should be first on the list. Bush called her before the storm and offered to send military, etc. She said she’d think about it. Also, the local govt has had money available in the past to go toward improving the levee system, but used it on “social programs” instead.

Media Advisory
Audubon Aquarium of the Americans to Rescue Animal Survivors
Penguins, sea otters, sea turtle and more heading from New Orleans to California, Texas on Friday

WHAT
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the top aquariums in the United States, will be relocating the surviving animals from its marine life collection to four colleague institutions in Monterey, California; and Dallas, Galveston, and Houston, Texas.

While the acclaimed New Orleans aquarium survived Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed, its life support system did not; most of the animals in its aquatic exhibits were lost. The sea otters, penguins, macaws and raptors, leafy and weedy sea dragons, some fishes, and Midas, a 250 lb. green sea turtle all survived thanks to the care of staff who remained at the aquarium through the hurricane, flooding and civil unrest.

Media will be able to speak with key staff of the aquarium and its sister institution, the Audubon Zoo and to film and photograph animals as they are brought out of the aquarium for transport to Baton Rouge so they can be transferred to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Dallas World Aquarium and the Rainforest at Moody Gardens. Macaws and raptors, along with two sea lions from the Audubon Zoo, were brought to the Houston Zoo and arrive safely today (Thursday, Sept. 8). All of the participating facilities are accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

WHEN
Friday, September 9 – Noon

WHERE
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas’ riverfront plaza, 1 Canal St., New Orleans

DETAILS
Hurricane Katrina has inflicted a tragedy of monumental proportions on the people of New Orleans and the southeast. It has also dealt a significant blow to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas — Louisiana’s most visited attraction and an institution numbered among the elite aquariums in the United States. Hurricane damage disabled much of its life support system, costing the aquarium most of the 6,000 animals in its aquatic collection.

Thanks to the care of dedicated staff members, there are survivors to rescue, notably sea otters, penguins, macaws, raptors, a green sea turtle, and rare leafy and weedy sea dragons. Audubon Institute President Ron Forman personally fed the otters and refilled the tank fueling the generator that powered the life support system. A New Orleans police officer was given a crash course to feed the aquarium’s penguins.

On Friday, September 9 aquarium staff will relocate most of the surviving animals to colleague institutions for care while it plans its recovery and reopening. Two sea otters and 19 penguins will be moved to the Monterey Bay Aquarium; leafy and weedy sea dragons to the Dallas World Aquarium; and Midas the sea turtle to the Rainforest at Moody Gardens. Eight large tarpon will remain in the aquarium’s Gulf of Mexico exhibit.

Several animals were relocated to the Houston Zoo earlier this week including macaws and raptors from the aquarium, and sea lions from the Audubon Zoo. A cat, which is pregnant and close to delivery, was removed from ACRES (Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species) and is now being cared for by the Saint Louis Zoo. All other animals at ACRES are being cared for in the facility and are faring well.

This is an opportunity for media to talk with key staff, including John Hewitt, aquarium vice president and director of husbandry; to get updates on the condition of the Audubon Zoo from Larry Rivarde, its vice president and managing director; and to film/photograph rescued animals being taken from the aquarium building.

I’m very angry and upset over what’s happened in New Orleans and the gulf coast. It is extremely upsetting to see all these people stranded with no hope left. People who were just left to die – for days. I have little faith in our government right now. I can’t believe we are spending billions to fight this stupid war when we need help here. I feel like this war is just raping us of our resources and our young people. The media is no help either. who cares about the Michael Jackson trial and wheather or not Britney Spears is pregnant. I could care less! I’m so done and exhausted. It is so obvious that we are neglecting our own country. I know so many people who don’t have health insurance and live paycheck to paycheck and I don’t even want to get into the environment. And this disaster makes me feel fed up. I have friends in New Orleans and I don’t even know if they’re ok. This so-called relief effort blows my mind. I’m just tired of all this bi-partisan bickering in our country – us against them. it’s stupid. this world is too small and our time too short. We need to fix our problems here at home for the long term.
Michael Conroy – Portland Oregon

My brother and I visited the Audubon Zoo in the Fall of the year before his passing. He and his newly wed wife met us in N’awlins from Ocean Springs, MS. His wife, Diana, is Cajun and 24 years his junior. We were all very much taken by the bayou swamp living exhibit, as well as the albino gators. Through this site I’ve learned the fate of the gators after Katrina. Can anyone tell me how the pirogue exhibit fared?

I just wanted to respond to all those who are blaming our Gov. for not getting people out of New Orleans, or food and water in to them fast enough. I live way out here in Calif and sat here watching the news and heard DAYS in advance that the people there had been urged to leave the City. There were buses provided for those who could not drive themselves out, and yet I continue to hear how they were let down. My God are they really that ignorant?!If you arent willing to help yourselves by meeting the ones in charge halfway, you got what you deserved! And the looting and horrors that followed? I can see taking food and water to survive, but big screen tvs? Stereos? Come on people, no electricity, what were you idiots thinking?! If someone had warned me days in advance, I would have strapped what I could on my back and walked out if that was how I had to do it! Y’all looking for handouts and freebies, go right on. I wouldnt waste my time or money . There should have been a huge wave of humankind flowing FROM the areas hit by the hurricane to safer areas. Texans had there arms and hearts and homes open…shelters would have taken you in BEFORE the storm as well as after. I pray for all those who lost someone, but find it hard to feel sorry for anyone who didnt get out in time.

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